Chrysler’s Savior: A History Of The K-Car

By

Chris Parker

Released to the world in 1981, Chrysler’s K-platform has been both lauded and laughed at for its simplicity, malleability and the role it played in saving Chrysler during the early 80s. Let’s take
an in-depth stroll through the history of the platform that simultaneously saved one of the Big Three American automakers and gave them a new lease on life. We’ll look at the decisions and
geopolitical environment that led to the development of the iconic platform and the impact it had on the market. To give us context for the K-platform’s conception, we’ll begin with the crises that
molded the automotive industry from the early ‘70s through the ‘80s.

The Oil Crises

In October of 1973, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Nations declared an embargo on nations it viewed as supporting Israel during the Yom Kippur
War, a twenty-day standoff With Egypt and Syria on one side and Israel on the other. Countries that were targeted by the embargo included the United States, Canada, Japan, The Netherlands and
the UK. With oil supplies severely reduced, the affected nations were forced to institute fuel rations and faced shortages. To conserve fuel, legislation was passed requiring automakers limit
their horsepower, fuel economy and emissions. The embargo lasted until March of the following year, by which time oil prices had skyrocketed from $3 per barrel to $12.

By the time 1979 rolled around, the market had more or less stabilized again. That is, until the Iranian revolution. During the uprising, production of Iranian
oil was pulled back, reducing the global production by about 4%. While the reduction in global oil production was manageable, memories of the ‘73 shortages whipped up a public panic, causing
prices to rocket skyward again. These rising fuel prices, combined with Government mandated low consumption vehicles are what laid the groundwork for both Chryslers decline and the rise of the
K-Car.